Army All-American West Hot 11
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SAN ANTONIO - Not a practice has gone by this week where Vontaze Burfict has not made a play to distinguish himself as the hardest hitter on the West defense and Thursday was no different. The following are the top performers for the West on Thursday.
West Team Hot 11 - Thursday
LB Tariq Allen
6-2/231, Irving (Texas) Irving Macarthur School
Allen had been practicing primarily at outside linebacker this week, but worked inside on Thursday. He appears better suited in his new role on the defense, where the future Longhorn serves more efficiently as a run-stopper.
6-2/244, Corona (Calif.) Centennial
Not a practice has gone by this week where Burfict has not made a play to distinguish himself as the hardest hitter on the West defense. During 11-on-11 work on Thursday, Burfict consistently got penetration creating havoc in the backfield.
ATH Adam Hall
6-4/195, Tucson (Ariz.) Palo Verde Magnet
Hall was a popular target for the West quarterbacks. He uses his long 6-foot-4 frame to extend and catch passes that the smaller receivers on the roster couldn't get to. Hall, who played primarily at defensive back in the Hawaii Classic in December, is trying to prove to college recruiters that he is better suited on the offensive side of the ball.
6-1/181, Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure
The USC-bound safety got his hands on a number of balls. One of his pass breakups saved the defense from giving up a touchdown during 7-on-7s. No West safety has been more consistent in practice this week than Hall.
CB Cliff Harris
6-0/165, Fresno (Calif.) Edison
A mainstay in this week's Hot 11 lists, Harris continues to shine. At some point, you would figure the quarterbacks would stop testing him. But that has not happened yet. Harris recorded a half dozen pass breakups during Thursday's practice. He has as an innate ability to break on the ball at the perfect time.
CB Gabe Lynn
6-0/185, Jenks (Okla.) High
Unlike most of the West defensive backs, Lynn does not do a lot of talking. But he exudes confidence. Lynn dominated one-on-ones and then recorded an impressive pass breakup while covering the almost uncoverable Rueben Randle during 11-on-11s.
6-5/209, West Monroe (La.) High
The long 6-foot-5, 209-pound outside linebacker has stood out as a gunner on special teams all week, and on Thursday he showed well in pass coverage by recording an interception. Mingo also played good assignment football during 11-on-11s.
6-1/188, Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne
Relatively quiet this week, Moore made some noise to end the morning practice session by picking off a Tyrik Rollison pass. In a game situation, Moore's interception return could have potentially resulted in a touchdown for the defense.
6-3/320, San Bernardino (Calif.) Arroyo Valley
Philipp has quietly put together a strong week of practice. Along with Brandon Webb, Philipp has been working at both guard and center. Philipp does not consistently pancake defenders to the turf, but does a good job of sustaining blocks by playing with good leverage.
6-3/195, Bastrop (La.) High
On Thursday, Randle moved around as well as he has all week. The nation's top-ranked recruit has been bothered by a sore hamstring. During extended one-on-one work, Randle was the only receiver that caught more than one pass. Randle went up against Dre Kirkpatrick twice, and both times came away with the catch.
WR Greg Timmons
6-3/191, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower
Timmons followed up a dominating performance in Wednesday's scrimmage with a solid workout on Thursday morning. The Texas-bound wide receiver caught an Allen Bridgford touchdown pass on a fade route during 7-on-7s.
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